Radiation Safety Office

1. Transportation of Dangerous Goods Class 7 - Receiving Radiation Safety Office Some content with permission and thanks from the Dalhousie University Radiation Safety Office TDG Class 7 Receiving Presentation Code 62

2. Introduction The following presentation.... • Provides information on receiving Class 7 Radioactive Material • Acts as a refresher for staff working in areas where radioactive material is received • Serves as part of a radiation safety orientation program for new employees

3. Key Objectives • Understand the shipping and delivery requirements for Class 7 Radioactive Packages. • Identify the requirements of an initial inspection before opening a radioactive package. • Use proper radiation safety practices when opening radioactive packages. • Understand the requirements for record keeping. • Identify the required regulatory reporting requirements when receiving radioactive packages.

4. Receiving Class 7 Packages All photos are CDHA Photos

5. Correct TDG Package Type (UN and Excepted or Type A Package) Correct Labels radiation warning shipping address packing documents CDHA Photo Approved Shipping Container Identified Isotopes and Activity Limits Receiving Requirements Shippers are required to package and provide the following for each Class 7 shipment.

6. Receiving Requirements Receivers are required to follow the regulations for all Class 7 shipments Section 21.(1) “Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations” No person, other than the consignor or the consignee of the package, shall open the package unless.... a) measures are taken to prevent persons from receiving doses higher than the radiation dose limits prescribed by the Radiation Protection Regulations b) the package is opened in the presence of an expert in radiation protection (someone authorized and trained to open the package) http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/ Section 21.(1) “Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations”

7. Receiving Requirements Specific receiving procedures are described in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission INFO Document http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/ “Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages, INFO - 0426 rev 1” This should be posted where the package is opened

8. Delivered to the department without delay Stored securely until received (opened) Received (opened) only by authorized personnel Properly secured and stored after receiving (opening) Receiving Requirements Procedures must be in place to ensure all Class 7 Packages are..... Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Clip Art: CDHA MS Clip Art File

9. Opening a Package Follow the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission INFO Guide 0426 rev1 “Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages”

10. Worth repeating CDHA Photo Opening a Package Verify Address Before signing for the package, verify if it is for your department. If not, then do not accept the package. If you sign, and it is not for you, you are responsible for the package. This could cause problems if you sign for a package and the hospital does not have the isotope on their licence.

11. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Opening a Package Deliver – Store Promptly You may take direct receipt from a courier during daytime deliveries. Procedures for after hours receipt of a shipment, by security, includes examination for any damage or leaks and signing for the package. Once signed for, the package is delivered to an after hours holding area. The department responsible for the package is to pick it up the next day.

12. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Opening a Package Check for Damage Perform a visual inspection of the shipping container for any evidence of damage, leakage or tampering. If the package is damaged, tampered with or leaking, stop all receiving and implement emergency procedures. Also notify the Radiation Safety Officer.

13. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Opening a Package Open Package in Designated Area Use a fume hood if the material is volatile such as iodine Open package behind appropriate shielding for a high level of activity Use a bench top in a designated radiation work area

14. Opening a Package buttoned lab coat personal whole body or ring badge disposable gloves Photo: Dalhousie University with permission CDHA Photo CDHA Photo Use Personal Protective Equipment Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the shipment received such as... The ring is to be worn under the gloves to protect it from contamination.

15. CDHA Photo Most nuclear substance labs only have contamination monitors available so external monitoring is not required. CDHA Photo Opening a Package Verify Package Dose Rate If a survey meter is available, monitor the dose rate at the surface and 1metre around the package and note any discrepancies with the shipping documents.

16. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Opening a Package Verify Package Contents Once the package has been opened verify the nuclear substance, the quantity and other details with the information on the packing slip and with the purchase order.

17. Measuring Contamination The Wipe Test

18. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Measuring Contamination Prepare, in advance, any material to conduct your wipe test such as filter paper, Q-tips or alcohol swabs; tongs; numbered counting vials; and water or alcohol if using dry swabs.

19. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Measuring Contamination It is acceptable to use one wipe to check for contamination on the primary container (vial) If no contamination is present, you can log in the shipment, store the vial and dispose of the packaging Some practices use one wipe to test all package components and if it is contaminated repeat the procedure with separate wipes for each package component. Still others wipe all package components with separate wipes

20. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Measuring Contamination The minimum required by regulations is to wipe the exterior surface of the primary container and all six sides of the outer container. The CNSC has clarified that it is expected that the wipe includes all six sides of the container for contamination. * may need to hold container with tongs if a high beta or gamma emitter or required by department procedure The primary container is the main component that holds the nuclear substance. Generally for liquid vials, it is the glass vial or inside of the lead pot.

21. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Measuring Contamination Other components may be wiped but generally these do not have to be done if the primary container or outside box is not contaminated. exterior surfaces of the lead pot interior surface of the lead pot

22. Measuring Contamination You should have a predetermined count rate to meet the wipe test criteria of 4 Bq/cm2 Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Ensure that your liquid scintillation, gamma counter or contamination meter are on appropriate settings to count your wipes.

23. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Measuring Contamination Example: You may know that 340,000 cpm = 4 Bq/cm2 for P-32 being counted on the well counter in Room 4023. This count may be 260,000cpm on a pancake meter in the lab for the same isotope. A clean or “control” wipe should also be used as a background count

24. Finish Receiving The Final Steps

25. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Finish Receiving Waste Disposal Used vials containing the wipe test samples are placed in an appropriate radiation waste storage container to await disposal

26. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Finish Receiving Discarding Package Material If your wipe tests on the package and packing materials are negative any reference to “radioactive” must be defaced or removed before disposing of packaging.

27. Finish Receiving Glove Removal With both hands gloved, peel one glove off from top to bottom and hold it in the gloved hand With the exposed hand, peel the second glove off from the inside, tucking the first glove inside the second Dispose of the gloves promptly Never touch the outside of the glove with bare skin and wash hands as soon as possible All Photos: Dalhousie University with permission

28. Record Keeping/Inventory Log Monitor and remove gloves used to open the package before continuing with next steps

29. Record Keeping/Inventory Log • Requirements of Receiving Record • Date Packaged Received • Name of Supplier • Name of Shipper • Shipping Document Number • Inventory Entry • Isotope Name, Activity, Chemical Form, Lot Number. • Results of Receiving Inspection

30. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Record Keeping/Inventory Log Log the shipment receipt on the inventory log in your records binder or electronic system Generally this includes the lot number, activity, volume, isotope, calibration date, receiving information including wipe test and signature

31. Record Keeping/Inventory Log Radioisotope Receiving Record (Sample)

32. Emergency/Reportable Events • Notify the Radiation Safety Officer if any receiving requirements are not met such as: • incorrect address or delivery if the package was already received • incorrect labels or transport index • radiation levels in excess of labeling or >2mSv/hr at surface • package damage, leaking or evidence of tampering • wipe test reading above licence criteria of 4Bq/cm2 • lost shipments

33. CDHA PHOTO We all have responsibility for safety in the workplace and saying ‘’it is not my job’ doesn’t cut it when it comes to radiation safety. When in doubt call your supervisor You will never be in trouble for asking questions or asking for help when it comes to radiation safety. The end.....now you can do the quiz CDHA PHOTO

34. References Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Citing Websites. Packaging and Transport Regulations . In Acts and Regulations. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/lawsregs/actsregulations/index.cfm Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. INFO Document 0426 rev1 Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages: Author.